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Triple I – Andrea Illy in conversation with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua on the global growth of the renown coffee brand

If there was ever any doubt that it is possible to construct a global culture based on your values and using your own products, the Illy group has dispelled it. Over the course of three generations, Illycaffè has created products that are not just some of the best coffee blends in the world but also vehicles of the group’s philosophy: a combination of extremely high quality standards and the concept of καλὸς κἀγαθός, “the beautiful and the good”.

The process of evolution that has accompanied the group’s extraordinary expansion (it currently has a direct presence in 140 countries) is the merit of the vision and leadership of Andrea Illy.

Illy was the guest at yesterday’s Italian Imaginative Innovators (Triple I) event – the first of 2018 – where he spoke to Francine Lacqua, editor-at-large for Bloomberg. The Triple I series, an initiative run by the Italian embassy, brings together Italian entrepreneurs and high-profile representatives of international media.

Illy described how the concept of coffee-drinking has changed over the past quarter-century, becoming less functional and more experiential. He explained how the industry has encountered challenges such as climate change and the domination of the largest groups due to processes of consolidation and concentration, and he discussed the group’s philosophy and values, notably how it treats other groups in the same sector as collaborators rather than competitors.

The new Italian ambassador to the UK, Raffaele Trombetta, noted that Illy’s entrepreneurial skill, vision, and ability to think outside the box make him a prime example of the qualities celebrated by the Triple I initiative. The ambassador also mentioned Illy’s important work as the head of the Promotion and Market Development Committee at the International Coffee Organisation and as the chairman of Altagamma, the trade association for Italian luxury goods.

For more information, contact: stampa.amblondra@esteri.it

 

Notes:

Illycaffè was established in Trieste in 1933 by Illy Ferencz, a Hungarian immigrant, and is currently managed by the third generation of the family, under the leadership of Andrea Illy, the chairman of the group. Its products are currently sold in over 100,000 outlets, including over 230 Illy stores, in 140 countries. Illycaffè is known around the world for the quality of its product, a special blend created from nine varieties of Arabica coffee. The group has earned a reputation for commitment to sustainability and culture: its initiatives include the University of Coffee, which was established to promote and disseminate the culture of high-quality coffee, and numerous collaborations with famous artists.

 

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